6 answers
Judina
Student
Orlando, Florida
2
Questions
Asked
1842 views
What are the best ways for a high school student to get involved in Neonatal health and Medical research?
I am currently a freshman in high school and passionate about neonatal health, medical research, and chemistry. I hope to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically in neonatology, and I’m eager to gain hands-on experience early on. I was wondering what the best ways for a high school student to get exposed to these fields are. Are there any opportunities to assist with research, shadow professionals, or contribute to neonatal or biochemical studies in any way? I’d love any advice on finding research positions, internships, or programs that welcome high school students!
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6 answers
Divya Minnaganti
Physician
2
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Divya’s Answer
Hi Judina! Getting involved in research during high school can be challenging, but it's definitely doable. Here are two main strategies you can try:
1. **Explore Summer Research Programs:** Search for summer internships or programs that focus on chemistry and biochemical research. These are often offered at local colleges and provide hands-on experience with lab work and basic science research. Many programs also involve writing a research paper, which helps you understand the research process better. For example, the STARS program at the University of Missouri in St. Louis partners with Washington University and Saint Louis University and accepts out-of-state students. Look for similar options nearby to maximize your chances.
2. **Connect with Local Colleges:** Research local colleges and their research departments. Identify mentors who are working in fields you're interested in. Reach out to them via email, expressing your interest in their work. This could lead to opportunities to shadow or assist them in their research. Even if there are no immediate openings, building these connections can be valuable.
Additionally, consider enrolling in research training programs. Seattle Children's offers one for high school students, which could provide you with basic training and certification. This training can be useful for applying to research opportunities near you.
Good luck, and I hope these tips help you get started!
1. **Explore Summer Research Programs:** Search for summer internships or programs that focus on chemistry and biochemical research. These are often offered at local colleges and provide hands-on experience with lab work and basic science research. Many programs also involve writing a research paper, which helps you understand the research process better. For example, the STARS program at the University of Missouri in St. Louis partners with Washington University and Saint Louis University and accepts out-of-state students. Look for similar options nearby to maximize your chances.
2. **Connect with Local Colleges:** Research local colleges and their research departments. Identify mentors who are working in fields you're interested in. Reach out to them via email, expressing your interest in their work. This could lead to opportunities to shadow or assist them in their research. Even if there are no immediate openings, building these connections can be valuable.
Additionally, consider enrolling in research training programs. Seattle Children's offers one for high school students, which could provide you with basic training and certification. This training can be useful for applying to research opportunities near you.
Good luck, and I hope these tips help you get started!
Sara Solomon
Doctor of Pharmacy Student
10
Answers
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Updated
Sara’s Answer
This sounds like a fantastic career path! Many universities and hospitals offer research programs for high school students to explore the medical field. Plus, reaching out to a professor at a nearby school is a smart way to build connections. They might even let you sit in on a class or show you around their research lab.
Rita Chuang
Physician
220
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I think it's going to be difficult in high school to shadow a physician. I had patients asking to shadow me and I just did not feel it was appropriate because patients are coming to me with very personal and private matters. I think the best way though is to ask someone you know. You can ask your own doctor or some family friend. If you are interested in neonatology, it may be a little easier because there isn't the concern about patients' personal problems being exposed. You may want to reach out to your pediatrician. You may not get to shadow him/her but maybe you can start by volunteering in the office. You can learn a lot by volunteering.
One of my patients had her granddaughter shadow a doctor and after one day, she decided she could not handle listening to problems all day.
One of my patients had her granddaughter shadow a doctor and after one day, she decided she could not handle listening to problems all day.
Michelle M.
Actress
2322
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Judina !
It is so marvelous that you know what career you'd like to have in the future and I can give you some advice.
While you are in 9th grade as a freshman in high school, you will not be able to do hands on neonatal, research or biochemical work as that will come once you take the necessary academic paths and have graduated college, however, there are a few things that you can do at age 14 that are connected to these careers. You will need to either have a Doctorate or a Masters degree to work hands on.
Shadowing is not helpful or necessary and doesn't teach, rather it presents an example of the career for people who are not sure about a specific career. It is not experience nor does it go on a resume as experience or education. It would not give you a good idea of what your career would be like because it is only a few hours of someone else's career. The medical field is most times very sensitive and private with a lot going on so I never advise shadowing for medical careers. You can watch videos on You Tube about careers in Neonatal, Research and being a Biochemist. You sound sure that you want this career as your passion has driven you towards this career interest, so you wouldn't really need shadowing to decide as you already feel secure with your career choice.
In addition to watching presentation career videos on You Tube, visit your local Department of Health in your community to offer being a volunteer. Places such as this usually have various programs and sometimes even supportive programs for those who are pregnant. You can participate in all programs and activities to become familiar with health and wellness in general as these will be things you'll need to know about patients in general. Participate in Health Fairs and even if you volunteer as clerical or reception at the Department of Health, you will learn skills.
At 14, you can easily babysit as childcare will familiarize you with children or infants. Let your neighbors know by word of mouth and have your parents tell their friends that you are available to babysit. You can make some spending money this way, too. This is a perfect way to be around children during high school. Don't use the internet or public flyers, just word of mouth will be fine and safe for you to do.
So right now in 9th grade, it will be important to learn about health, medical factors and explore this as a base. You can even read about Midwifery but those patients are very low risk patients, not what you'd encounter in neonatal. Just as an introductory, read about and learn as much as you can in high school, do volunteer work and babysit.
While in high school, take as many health sciences and human sciences as you can. You may have projects that will introduce you to research. In college, you will have more advanced projects, too, based on what you Major in.
Keep in mind that your interests are subjects, not careers, so you could be thinking about specific careers along the way, although there is no rush for this, take your time in deciding. You could possibly choose Nursing, becoming a Doctor or a Biochemist. Do exploring and maybe your volunteer work or Health Science and Human Science classes in high school can help you decide.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
It is so marvelous that you know what career you'd like to have in the future and I can give you some advice.
While you are in 9th grade as a freshman in high school, you will not be able to do hands on neonatal, research or biochemical work as that will come once you take the necessary academic paths and have graduated college, however, there are a few things that you can do at age 14 that are connected to these careers. You will need to either have a Doctorate or a Masters degree to work hands on.
Shadowing is not helpful or necessary and doesn't teach, rather it presents an example of the career for people who are not sure about a specific career. It is not experience nor does it go on a resume as experience or education. It would not give you a good idea of what your career would be like because it is only a few hours of someone else's career. The medical field is most times very sensitive and private with a lot going on so I never advise shadowing for medical careers. You can watch videos on You Tube about careers in Neonatal, Research and being a Biochemist. You sound sure that you want this career as your passion has driven you towards this career interest, so you wouldn't really need shadowing to decide as you already feel secure with your career choice.
In addition to watching presentation career videos on You Tube, visit your local Department of Health in your community to offer being a volunteer. Places such as this usually have various programs and sometimes even supportive programs for those who are pregnant. You can participate in all programs and activities to become familiar with health and wellness in general as these will be things you'll need to know about patients in general. Participate in Health Fairs and even if you volunteer as clerical or reception at the Department of Health, you will learn skills.
At 14, you can easily babysit as childcare will familiarize you with children or infants. Let your neighbors know by word of mouth and have your parents tell their friends that you are available to babysit. You can make some spending money this way, too. This is a perfect way to be around children during high school. Don't use the internet or public flyers, just word of mouth will be fine and safe for you to do.
So right now in 9th grade, it will be important to learn about health, medical factors and explore this as a base. You can even read about Midwifery but those patients are very low risk patients, not what you'd encounter in neonatal. Just as an introductory, read about and learn as much as you can in high school, do volunteer work and babysit.
While in high school, take as many health sciences and human sciences as you can. You may have projects that will introduce you to research. In college, you will have more advanced projects, too, based on what you Major in.
Keep in mind that your interests are subjects, not careers, so you could be thinking about specific careers along the way, although there is no rush for this, take your time in deciding. You could possibly choose Nursing, becoming a Doctor or a Biochemist. Do exploring and maybe your volunteer work or Health Science and Human Science classes in high school can help you decide.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
22
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
I would approach your local children's hospital to ask what they might be able to do to give you experiences in the hospital and in associated research laboratories. As others have said, true hands-on experiences are hard to come by until you have entered post-graduate (from college) study. Much of what adversely affects neonatal outcomes is socio-economic, so working with public health and charitable organizations that work with mothers and infants could be helpful. To get into colleges and medical schools, volunteering to help disadvantaged mothers and babies will be looked upon favorably.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
488
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Judina,
It's very impressive that you already know what you are passionate about and what direction you want to take at such a young age. So, your career could be in the medical field as a nurse or as a doctor, specializing in neonatal care. But it could also be in biochemical research.
In high-school, you should focus on science and math classes (biology, chemistry, physics, math). Take any health related classes that are available. Psychology and social science are also good options. I would also recommend that you take English and Spanish. As a doctor or nurse or patient advocate you need good communication skills. Some of the people you need to communicate with will likely be Spanish-speakers. AP classes are good. Double enrollment or whatever program you might have to earn college credits while you are still in school is also good. Make sure you keep your GPA up.
Since you are very young, you can start your baby career by taking some babysitting classes and offering your services as a babysitter. You would learn lots of things about baby care and get a certificate that will help you in getting hired. At your age, neighbors and parents' friends are probably your best first customers. Classes are offered e.g. at the Red Cross:
https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/take-a-class/babysitting-orlando-fl
https://fun4orlandokids.com/Programs-Classes/Babysitting-Certification/
For your medical interests, there are volunteer opportunities in health care for teens in a hospital setting. For most of them you need to be at least 16. I left a couple of links below. Although you won't be caring for neonates any time soon, you can gain experiences in hospital settings and make a difference in patients' lives. As you get older there will be more opportunities.
You can also get involved in research. The University of Central Florida has a high-school program in nanoscience. That's chemistry, biology and physics rolled together to make very small particles for different applications, including medical. The Orlando Science Center has research activities for grades 5 to 12. They would support you to participate in science competitions:
https://highschoolscience.ucf.edu/
https://www.osc.org/learn/competitions/
I hope this helps for now! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.orlandohealth.com/volunteer-services/orlando-regional-medical-center-volunteer-services/ormc-teen-volunteer-opportunities
https://www.nemours.org/givingtonemours/volunteer/orlando.html
https://www.adventhealth.com/adventhealth-central-florida-volunteer-services
It's very impressive that you already know what you are passionate about and what direction you want to take at such a young age. So, your career could be in the medical field as a nurse or as a doctor, specializing in neonatal care. But it could also be in biochemical research.
In high-school, you should focus on science and math classes (biology, chemistry, physics, math). Take any health related classes that are available. Psychology and social science are also good options. I would also recommend that you take English and Spanish. As a doctor or nurse or patient advocate you need good communication skills. Some of the people you need to communicate with will likely be Spanish-speakers. AP classes are good. Double enrollment or whatever program you might have to earn college credits while you are still in school is also good. Make sure you keep your GPA up.
Since you are very young, you can start your baby career by taking some babysitting classes and offering your services as a babysitter. You would learn lots of things about baby care and get a certificate that will help you in getting hired. At your age, neighbors and parents' friends are probably your best first customers. Classes are offered e.g. at the Red Cross:
https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/take-a-class/babysitting-orlando-fl
https://fun4orlandokids.com/Programs-Classes/Babysitting-Certification/
For your medical interests, there are volunteer opportunities in health care for teens in a hospital setting. For most of them you need to be at least 16. I left a couple of links below. Although you won't be caring for neonates any time soon, you can gain experiences in hospital settings and make a difference in patients' lives. As you get older there will be more opportunities.
You can also get involved in research. The University of Central Florida has a high-school program in nanoscience. That's chemistry, biology and physics rolled together to make very small particles for different applications, including medical. The Orlando Science Center has research activities for grades 5 to 12. They would support you to participate in science competitions:
https://highschoolscience.ucf.edu/
https://www.osc.org/learn/competitions/
I hope this helps for now! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: